STRIKE: No winners in ‘silly battle’

As a senior doctor (consultant) in the NHS myself, I am deeply concerned about the negative short and long-term consequences of this for patients, staff and the NHS in general.

It is ridiculous that the Secretary of State continues his bullish stance, rather than withdraw the imposition of the contract and return to the negotiation table. Mr Hunt should try to identify win-win solutions for both sides, and at all costs stop further industrial action. It should never have gone this far.

It is poor politics when senior politicians put themselves on a collision course with highly educated, intelligent and valuable young professional members of our society.

I am also very concerned that the Secretary of State still postures with junior doctors, who will be, after all, the future of the NHS.

There is also great harm occurring to patients who are suffering due to delayed treatments, cancelled operations and many other hardships.

The Government will, in my opinion, be responsible for any consequences of the industrial action(s) as it has the power to stop the strikes by lifting the threat of contract imposition and return to negotiations.

The NHS is Britain’s best national asset. There can be no winners in this silly battle and the losers will be our elders, our children, the infirm and the injured. This is a terrible legacy for Mr Cameron and the Conservative party to write into the history books.